Why I Will Call Myself A Marathoner Again This Year

I used to call myself a marathoner. Not that I was truly a marathoner – because someone who takes four hours to finish marathon isn’t exactly competing against other people.

But I used to run marathons. Before kids.

I’ve been running for 22 years. I run 5-6 days a week for 3-5 miles. This is my church, my quiet time, my keeping myself healthy time, my trying to keep off the muffin top time, and truly my only ‘me’ time.

I love to run. I love it so much that I wake-up at 4:30am every morning – whether it’s raining, snowing, 80 above or 30 below…and get up and run. I run for 30 minutes or an hour or whatever I have time for that day.

And on the days that I don’t run, I feel like a big blob all day..not just in body, but I did not get that extra time with just me and my mind. That pure time of quiet and peace of putting one foot in front of the other without any other distractions.

I don’t like running with other people because for me, running is quiet. I don’t enjoy the conversation or trying to keep pace as I run for me. Selfishly.

I don’t listen to music when I run. I want to hear the dogs barking, the birds waking up, to say hello and hear a response when someone passes me. I also want to hear cars approaching or even have a ear open for the boogie man if he jumps out at me some morning.

My favorite pair of running tights are nearly 19 years old. I bought them for my first marathon in 1994. They still fit the best and are the most comfortable. But thankfully I wear them when it’s dark outside as they are most definitely no longer in fashion. But I don’t care. I don’t have the latest gear or fastest times or even a way to carry my iPhone yet besides holding it in my hand each morning. But I do have good shoes and socks.

I ran my last marathon in 2000. The year before I became pregnant with Eloise. Motherhood consumes me. In a good way. I pour nearly everything into it, yet the one thing I’ve given up that I’ve regretted the most is running races, as I still won’t give up my time with my kids just to go run a few extra miles.

But my kids are getting older and sadly so am I.

So last week I officially sign-up for the Twin Cities Marathon. On October 6,2013 I’m running another marathon- 13 years after my last marathon. It’s been officially way too long.

What finally kicked me in the butt to do this? Well, besides getting something back that is purely about me and letting my kids know how important it is to stay active and live a healthy life? I am actually going to give back for every mile that I run.

I want you to go to the App store right now and get Charity Miles. I’ll wait while you go do that. You don’t have to run marathons or even run to use Charity Miles…so go download this FREE app right now.

I’ll wait.

Got it?

Charity Miles is the simplest app in the world – and does so much good. Just pick your cause, and then bike, walk or run and you earn money for that charity as a sponsored athlete. You earn 25 cents for every mile you run or walk and 10 cents for every mile you bike.

With the 450 miles I have planned for my marathon training…plus the 26.2 miles during the race…that is $119 that will go to my chosen charity – Shot@Life. That $119 will give six children in developing countries the vaccinations they need to give them a shot at a healthy life. Or that $119 will give 119 children each a vaccination against measles. And all I had to do was put one foot in front of the other.

And you don’t have to run marathons. Take your kids on a walk each night or each week. Take a bike ride with your family on the weekend. Spend quality time together exercising and at the same time save a child’s life.

Get your kids involved and organize a walk for kids this Spring! If 100 kids at school sign up to just walk 2 miles each as a fun after school activity – they’ve just given more children a shot at taking their first steps.

This is an easy one that we all can do. Join me and download Charity Miles today..and then go take a walk.

And if you are really feeling energetic today – join me for a marathon this year. I think we could all really rock our green t-shirts together.

About Tracy

My name is Tracy Morrison and I live in sunny Minnesota. I'm neither British nor a nun - I'm just a Midwesterner with a headache. This is mainly a humor and lifestyle blog that documents the lighter side of parenting. I am an ex-corporate ladder climber turned freelance writer, social media manager, world traveler, and marathon runner. I would love for you to contact me at tracy@sellabitmum.com

Comments

Wow, Tracy! I’m impressed – first, that you can and have run 26.2 miles at one time – second, that you get up at 4:30 in the freaking morning – and third, that you have found a way to make your running count for more than miles and calories.
Wishing you health and luck in your training!Shannon recently posted..The Road

I love this, and I just downloaded the app. I’ve never run a marathon, and don’t know if I ever will. I just started running last year, but I have a goal to run 500 miles this year. I’m well on my way!Greta @gfunkified recently posted..Project 365 (Week 8)

Moms in Mozambique walk as far as 15 miles to get to vaccinations for their children. Think of those moms walking to and from that vaccination clinic (probably one under the shade of a tree) as you build up your miles! You can do it!

This is fantastic! I’ve always run on and off, but it wasn’t until I joined the Zooma Women’s Race Series as a blog ambassador that I really committed. I’ll be running my first race ever, a half marathon, in exactly one month. And since I plan on continuing with races, why not raise money for charity while I train?

Your “selfish” reasons for running alone describe me exactly. I’m a loner, Dottie. Also, my husband has been known to push me out the door when I’m cranky due to my running schedule not going as planned.

I love how you describe running as your “me time.” I have never thought of exercise in that way, but it is true. I always feel more focused after I exercise and am very similar to you in that I like to be alone. (Except I like to listen to my tunes!) 🙂Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..Slow Roasted Polyethelene

I’m so excited for you! It’s a big step to make a commitment like that to yourself, and you’re going to rock it 🙂 (Also? I can’t run a marathon, but I’m hoping by October my silly messed up leg will let me get another 13.1 under my belt.)angela recently posted..The Book Thief – A Review

you’re inspiring and wonderful.
It doesn’t surprise me at all that you’re doing this and HOW you’re doing it. Plus I’m so glad that you’re able to take the time to yourself to run, to think and to change the world one mile at a time.Kir recently posted..Introductions {The Path You Choose, Bree} (Master Class)

It’s funny – I just committed myself to running another marathon, but that’s mostly because making myself run is much easier when I have a marathon in my sights. And, well, I still need to break that four-hour barrier — something in my mind says “you can’t call yourself a marathoner until you’ve done that.” I can run a half in under two hours, so why the heck can’t I run a full in under four?!

That said, I haven’t been running, at all, because I can’t stand my toes being numb, and I run in those super-silly Vibram Five Fingers, and I hate running on a treadmill. But, I’m banking on 1000 miles this year.

So do you run the 26.2 with no music also? If so then you definitely can call yourself a marathoner in my book. I can see 3-5 without…I do that (but I am still addicted to my Garmin with HR and Pace). Not 26.2 without though. I am addicted to my ipod shuffle and snuggbud headphones. When I did my 1/2 Ironman last year the 13.1 run at that end about killed me with no music. My goal is a full in 2014 and I am not sure I will be able to survive the run without music (rules don’t allow it).

I will download the app as soon as I can pry my iPhone out of my son’s hands. I’m running the Portland Marathon on October 6 so I will be training with you my friend and you don’t even have to talk to me during your long runs.Poppy recently posted..2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC 4-Door Review

Way to go! I’ve been using Charity miles for a few months now and really love it! I always choose down syndrome as my brother and I take wheelchair walks together (he has epilepsy, but its the closest we can get to helping him) but I’ll have to give your charity of choice a few of our walks also!Katie recently posted..Mid Week 1 Update

Rock on girl! I’m so excited that you’re finally doing another marathon. However, I have to take issue with your first paragraph of this blog entry….

I used to call myself a marathoner. Not that I was truly a marathoner – because someone who takes four hours to finish marathon isn’t exactly competing against other people.

As a 6-time marathon runner I consider myself (and everyone else) who runs a marathon truly a marathoner, no matter what the finish time. The distance itself is daunting, the training is time-consuming and the drive to do it all can be mentally exhausting. You should not discount yourself by NOT calling yourself a marathoner. You are one!

Lastly thank you for the link to the app, I will download it. Since I have (crazily) signed up for 2 marathons already this year, I may as well do some good deeds with all the training and race miles I’ll be putting in.

I love running too, but I’m too heavy to run right now. I wish I had never let myself get out of shape. Also, even when in shape, I don’t have the runner’s body because my knees are too weak. But anyway – I get it, that need to run.

Oh Tracy I love this – not only that your training for another marathon but that you are giving back through your efforts. Amazing. Going to check out the app now.

How you describe running? That’s what it is for me (except that I need music) and I for sure run selfishly. I used to call myself a “real” runner and a marathoner too – before kids. My last race was in 2005 and I’ve committed myself to a 10 miler in May and a half marathon in the Spring.Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Let the training begin

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Welcome

Hi and welcome to Sellabit Mum. My name is Tracy Morrison and I live in sunny Minnesota. I'm neither British nor a nun - I'm just a Midwesterner with a headache. This is mainly a humor and lifestyle blog that documents the lighter side of parenting three girls. I run marathons and love to talk about fitness. We also love to travel and model social good with our family. I am an ex-corporate ladder climber turned writer, social media maven(not really) and ruler of my own little universe(very small). Aren't we all. I would love for you to contact me at tracy@sellabitmum.com